The Role of Co-operative Societies in Developing Rojava’s Economy

Agricultural & Veterinary Pharmacy Co-operative

182 shares were issued to 20 participants [October 2018] at 50,000 SYP [under £70] per share. The co-op made 76% profit in six months.

The Mall

The Mall is a co-operative in Manbij that was opened on 15 December, 2017. By the end of January 2019 the project had distributed 292 shares at 50,000 SYP per share to 78 participants.

The Flour Mill

In order to secure flour for the great number of people in the city, which is increasingly being a place of destination for many displaced people, The Industrial Co-operative has opened The Flour Mill. It has 58 shares at 500,000 SYP each.

Jadida Power Generator

Two power generators were supplied for the villages of Farse Al-Ghanam and Jadida, and the number of participants is 10 people.

Farse Al-Ghanam Power Generator

Two power generators were supplied for the villages of Farse Al-Ghanam and Jadida, and the number of participants is 10 people.

This is a translation of an Arabic article by Salwa Abdul Rahman that appeared on Hawar News on 28 January, 2019

The Economic Committee in Manbij has opened many co-operatives to improve the economy and curb monopoly.

Manbij is the main gate for import in Syria, and this is what encourages many investors to come to the city and open many economic projects. However, this also leads many traders to monopolise.

The stability and security of Manbij, which was maintained by the Manbij Civil Council, and the Manbij Military Council, also encouraged many investors to come to the city.

In order to curb monopoly and allow people with low incomes to benefit from trade, the Economic Committee has formed many co-operative societies. With this step, capitalism is crushed.

One of the co-operatives is The Mall, which was opened on 15 December, 2017. The Veterinarian and Agricultural Pharmacy was also opened.

The Mall has 292 shares and the price for a share is 50,000 SYP. There are 78 participants in the project. The pharmacy has 189 shares, also at 50,000 SYP, and it has 26 participants.

In order to secure flour for the great number of people in the city, which is increasingly being a place of destination for many displaced people, The Industrial Co-operative has opened The Flour Mill. It has 58 shares at 500,000 SYP each.

The administration of Co-operatives has established a second flour mill, and it has 24 participants, and 60 shares. The city is receiving threats from Turkey,  but that didn’t stop people from participating.

Two power generators were supplied for the villages of Farse Al-Ghanam and Jadida, and the number of participants is 10 people.

Hawar News met with Safar Zakariyah, an administrator in the Economic Committee of Manbij. He said, “The co-operative societies have achieved economic development, they are curbing monopoly and stabilising prices, and also receiving many people who are interested in buying shares.”

He said that there will be many future projects, including a second branch of the veterinary and agricultural pharmacy inside the market, a bakery, and a chicken farm.

Zakariyah closed his speech by saying, “Work in the co-ops is increasing, we are very interested in establishing more projects that serve society and halt monopoly.”